The brave pensioner initially did not believe he has lost consciousness, but did not recall his wallet being taken.

He managed to make his way to a neighbour’s house nearby, bleeding from his head and hands.

Police arrived at 5.10pm and paramedics came shortly afterwards.

Medics initially believed Mr Booth’s injuries were life-threatening and he had lost a “significant amount” of blood.

He had five separare head wounds, including skull fractures and bleeding on the brain.

Both his hands were injured, including a fracture to one of the fingers.

A pathologist deemed that the injuries to his hands occurred when Mr Booth put his arms over his head to protect himself.

Isaacs went on a spending spree using Mr Booth’s contactless card, buying a Burger King meal costing nearly £10 at the M5 services near Bridgewater, Somerset, just before 5.30pm, it is said.

The next day he bought a McDonald’s meal and cigarettes, and spent £13 in Asda, the court heard.

By noon that day the card was declined, and police linked the transactions to a Vauxhall Zafira registered to Isaac’s father, a court heard.

His mother, Kathleen Isaacs, had reported him missiung on November 14. On November 24, police stopped the car on the A370 at Congresbury, Somerset.

Isaacs told them: “I’m not saying anything until I’ve spoken to my lawyer. This is a joke.”

In the footwell of the passenger seat was a check for £50 from Mr Booth’s daughter, made out to her father.

Ms Drake said: “She confirmed she had given it to her father.”

Isaacs answered ‘no comment’ to the questions put to him in custody.

By Ben Gelblum and Sarah Ward

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